HeartA

I didn't see the table talk part. In that case, I will CONCEDE all the tricks, seriously!

6H is my first reaction and I stick to it.

And what if responder holds 8 (or so) HCP, good D (AQJxx of diamonds, for example) and 3 hearts? You pass? I wouldn't. I agree that dbl, in general, promises H, but it doesn't deny diamonds, does it? As you said, "and the ability to handle opener's likely rebids". You mean 2D has to be excluded from the rebids unless opener has "extra" value? IMO, the rebids include 1N, 2C/2D and 2H. 1N, promises S stopper and balanced hand, of course; 2C implies not stopper in S, but decent C suit (5 good one or 6+) with minimum value; 2D shows 4 (perhaps 5, not likely though) and 5+ clubs (of course), and 2H show 4+ (occasionally 3 good ones) hearts. After opener's 2D, responder can try 1) 2H (decent 5+); 2) pass, minimun with moderate D fit; 3) 2S, D fit (not strong enough to freely bid 2D), 4) 3C, sign off; or 2NT to show 4 (+) hearts and S stopper(s).

I don't see the logic here. Even if one opens 1D with 4-4 minors or 4-5 with 4 Ds (which is my style, too. For 4-5 minors with 4 Ds which minor to open depends on the strength of minors), 1C opening doesn't deny 4 Ds, nor does it imply reverse strength with 4 Ds. With 6C-4D, you would open 1C even if you have dead minimum; and with ?, ?, Qxxx, AKQxx, one would open 1C.

Agree with Justin. Why would I bid 3D (4th suit) if I want to play 3N? 4D as RCK? what if I want to show 6-5 or even 6-6 (or 7-6)?

2D doesn't show extras. I would 2S. The problem with 2S is, if pd bid 3H I would have bid 4C, by-passing 3N. 3C is my second choice.

Clear 3S to me. HCPs in red suit (especially KQ) are not good, I don't bid 4S. With 7th spades, I don't think NT is a choice at all.

The only bid I agree with is 1H opening. I would overcall 1N as South. I would simply bid 1S over South's dbl as West. South doesn't have the strength to dbl AND then 1NT. I don't agree with East's 2C (why didn't he bid it over pd's xx)? South doesn't have the right (if I can say so) to dbl 2C again. I wouldn't pull to 2D as North, D suit is too weak (and need 5th).

I agree with the first pass. Now I bid 4C. With RHO's 3H, I have another choice, X, which comes second.

I agree with Ron on this.

If there were discussion between my partnership about opening of low-hcp and high-distributional hand, I wouldopen 1S. Otherwise, I pass.

4NT as RCK for clubs as well. But if pd does not understand 4NT, I would bid 6C.

1H and then 2S.

There is no free lunch, same for every bidding you choose. For this (kind of) hand, the most important message I want to tell my pd is, I have a self sufficient (D) suit and want him to show side controls. There is a small chance we miss a better contract, but I will live with it.

With inverted minors, there are differences between direct 2D and 2C then 3D. A direct 2D raise shows 4+ cards support, while 2C then 3D guarantees 3-card only. Another difference is, direct 2D shows no interest in other suit contract (D or NT only), while 2C then 3D shows interests in C as well. For example, if I hold ♠?, ♥?, ♦Kxx(x), ♣AQJxx, I would bid 2C and then 3D, inviting game if pd is minimum, and slam in case pd has maximum and support for clubs and controls in majors.

Suit is not too bad, and though not good shape, pretty good hand overall.

ditto.

OK, 13. But that doesn't much difference.

While I agree with and enjoy most of Mike's posts here, I completely disagree with him this time. I believe that, if not majority, a lot of experts would overcall 2C, with 14 count and reasonable C suit (heading with Q109). I think even Fred would do so. And pass again with 14 count is completely wrong, which puts all the burdens to pd to balance again, who has 10 hcp or so (assuming we have a game, we don't need 26 hcp since almost all of them are known in opener's hand).

You overcall a simple 3D at balance position with 18 count? I think dbl is the only choice. For 2nd hand, I opened, didn't I? Though I have extra in supporting S, I will pass.

I would have overcalled 2C directly. Now I bid 3C (constructive). 2NT is my second choice. Double would penalty and is out. Partner could have 4 spades only, and I don't want to support with 2.

Mine is close to Adam's, but even more conservative. 1) Any hand with 6+ hcp or 2+ controls 2) 4+ hcp with biddable suit at 1 level 3) 4+ hcp with fit 4) Any hand with excellent fit.

At MPs, I think I would cross to dummy and run HQ. Well, it could jeopardize 4H: H lose HK, H ruff (dummy's Q is gone) and over-ruff. C back and another D ruff. And if I reserve HQ on dummy and run small H. I could lose to stiff K and lose another H if D back (I ruff with HQ). I could improve the chance by discarding club at trick 1. Then I would cross to dummy to run HQ....

As squeeze doesn't help (HQ can only provide one pitch on H) unless RHO has both DQJ, I would have to play him to have them. If D were 3-3, we don't need a squeeze. Three rounds of clubs end in dummy and play DT. If RHO doesn't cover, let it go (and repeat the finesse, and we don't need a squeeze); Assume he covers I win in hand, draw remaining trumps (pitch H7, H3 on dummy). Then 3 rounds of spades end on dummy again: Dummy: ♥Q, ♦52, Declarer: ♦K93 If HQ is not a winner, I take the Heart finesse and my D3 would be the 13th trick. After seeing Ben's post, to play Dx (5 or 2) at trick 2 is better which takes care of DQJ doubleton in RHO (If you don't touch D immediately at trick 2, you would have to play DT after you get to dummy with CK, otherwise D would be blocked). Assuming East plays an honor, you covers. Draw 3 rounds of trump, ending in dummy, and play Dx again. If another D honor appears, you can draw trump, unblock D and come to hand to cash D9. If not, win with D9 and draw trumps, 3 rounds of S ending in dummy: Dummy: ♥Q, ♦10, Declarer: ♦K3 East would have to let your either HQ or K3 become a winner.

Clear? After 1H opening, you would NEVER be able to tell your pd of the 7-card D suit heading by AQJ. And the more you emphasize D, your pd would take H as 6+ suit which you don't have.